Wire-fabric-making machine.



. PATENTED FEB: 24, 1903 P. A. REID, J.- KELLEY & w. .v. RE1n.

WIRE FABRIC MAKING- MAGHINEJ v APPLICATION FILED 00115, 1901.

' 9 sums-SHEET 1.

no MODEL.

No. 721,605; I PATENTED FEB. 24, 1903.

P; A. RBID,AJ. 'KELLEY & W. v. REID.

WIRE FABRIC MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION. FILED OUT. 15, 1901. K0 MODEL 9 SHEETS-BEBE: 3

No. 721,605. PATENTED FEB. '24. 19,03...

P. A. REID, LKBLLEY & W.. v. REID.

'WIRE FABRIC MAKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 15, 1901,

I110 MODEL.

QSHEIiTS-SHBBT 4. NM

N R O I 1 l 4 T SN L h I I 5 I t :3 WW I 22?- m: Remus FETCHS co. PHOTO-LUNG WASHINGTON, o. c.

No. 721,505. 'PATENTED' FEB. 24,-- 1"903'..

P.IA.HRB'ID,' J. KELLEY. & w. v. REID.

" W133 FABRIC MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED-D0115, 1901. f I I m MODEL, mums-31mm 5.'

' k; Z0 P? Wimmw -1\To. 72l',605. I PATENTEliFEBgZi,1903. I P. A. REID, J.- KELLEY & W. v. REID.

WIRE- FABRIC MAKING MACHINE APPLIGATION FILED 00115, 1901.

no MODEL. sums-sum s.

- 'No.721; 605. I PATENTED'FEB.'24,1903.

' P. AFR'BID'Q'JQ KELLEY- & W. v. REID.

\ WIRE FABRIC MAKING MACHINE.

- v PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP 0T. 111111 1.

i u BBBB TS EEEEEE 7.- v I; I I V A N i Q I a.

PATBNTBD EE-24,1903.' P. A.1-;.REID', J. KELLEY & w.- V.;REID.

WIRE FABRIC MAKING MACHINE,

APPLICATION FILED 0013.15,- 1901.-

N0 MODEL.

HE NbRms PETERS co. Pumouma. wAsHlNm'uN, D. c.

' -1?ATENTED FEB. 24, 1903."

P A REID, J KELLEY & W v REID 'WIREQPABRIG AKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 001215, 1901.

1 N0 MODEL.

lmdmwm UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETTIS 'A. RE D, J MES KE LEY, AND WALTER v. REID, OF RIoIIMoND, INDIANA; sAID WALTER V. REID AND JAMES KELLEY ASSIGNORS o SAID PETTIS REID.

w'lRE-FABRlC M AKlN G MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 721,605, dated February 24, 1903. Application filed October 15, 1901. Serial No. 78,707- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, PETTIS A. REID, JAMES KELLEY,'and WALTER V. REID, citizens of the United States, residing at Richmond, in

the countyof Wayne and State of Indiana,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 7 Wire Fabric Making Machines; andwe do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description, Io of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in' the art to which it appertains'to.

make and use the same.

This invention relates to wire-fabric-malo. ing machinery, and more particularly to mar5 chines for the manufacture of wire fencing,

consisting of a series of longitudinal strands or line-wires and cross wires or stays secured under perfect tension during the operation 0 of attachingthe stays thereto; to provide improved devices for coiling the extremities andintermediate portions of stays about the strand-wires, so as to effect rigid and permanent connections; to providemeans for produoing crimps or angular bends in the strandwires at the points of connection-to the stays or at other desired intervals; to automatically advance and wind the finished fabric in compact form and to provide for easily re- 0 moving the same from the reel; to provide improved mechanism for operating the staytwisting, crimp-forming, and other operative devices and for transmitting motion thereto from the main shaft of the machine; to ren- 5 der the machine adaptable to the production of fencing of different widths, gages, and forms and the simultaneous production of a number of linesof fencing, and to improve generally on apparatus of this same general character.

The invention will first be hereinafter more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and then pointed out in the. claims'following the description. 1

In said drawings, in which similar partsin the several views are designated by corresponding letters of reference, Figure 1 represents a plan view of a wire-fabric-making machine embodying our invention, the parts being in the position assumed immediately after the introduction of a stay or cross wire and while the reciprocatory clutch-jaws,

which engage and carry rearward the fabric after each operation of securing a stay to the strand-wires, are in their extreme rearward position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, the' fabric and wires being represented the side opposite to that represented in Figs.

2 and 3. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view,. in front elevation, showing mechanism for actuating the reciprocatory rack which operates the stay-twisters, the parts maintaining the same relation as in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5,

wherein said reciprocatory rack stands at the limit of its movement preparatory to travel to 8 5 effect the twisting operation. Fig.7 is a similar view, but with the parts represented in the relation assumed immediately following the twisting operation the said reciprocatory rack being now at its opposite extreme position preparatory to movement to reverse the twisters. Fig. Sis a detail view, in side elevation, of one of the strand-wire feeding and tensioning devices, the parts being represented'in'position to apply the tension and the dotted lines in- 5 dicating their position when the tension is released. Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the devices illustrated in Fig. 8. Figs. 10 and 11 are enlarged detail views, in plan and side elevation,respectively, of one of the beat- Ico ment by the twisters.

ers or devices for advancing and maintaining the stays in proper position for engage- Fig. 12 represents in detail and on an enlarged scale a longitudinal vertical-section through one of the stay-twisting devices. Figs. 13 and 14 are enlarged details, in end and side elevation, respectively, of a twister-head, showing a strand-wire extending therethrough and across wire or stay with one of itsintermediate looped portions in position to be twisted about the said strandwires. Fig. 15 is adetail plan View of adjacent twisters of the two series of such devices and an interposed stay-cutting device of a double machine for producing simultaneously two lines of fencing. Fig. 16 is a section taken on line XVI XVI of Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is a detail View, in side elevation, of one of the reciprocatory grip and drawjaw actuating members or rockencams with its operating crank and roller, the full lines representing one extreme posit-ion of said member and the dotted lines indicating the opposite extreme position. Fig. 18 is an end elevation of said actuating member. Figs. 19 and 20 are corresponding views of a similar rocker-cam or actuating member with its operating crank and roller for reciprocating said jaws through a greater travel. Fig. 21 is a detail View of the crank for operating the rocker-cam represented in the last-mentioned figures. Fig. 22 is a detail plan view of one of the connectingrods for connecting the upper arms of either of the above-mentioned rocker-cams to the said reciprocating jaws. Figs. 23 to 25, inelusive, are detail views of one of the spools for the strand-wires; and Figs. '26 to 29, inclusive, are detail views of the winding-reel.

Referring to the drawings by specific letters of reference, A designates the supportingframe of the machine, consisting of suitable side members and intermediate standards, beams, and braces.

The letter B denotes a power-shaft, to which power may be applied through a friction-pulley b, and (J denotes an idle shaft, driven through the medium of friction gears or drums b and c by the power-shaft and driving in turn through gearing d the main shaft D, from which latter motion is transmitted to the various operative parts of the machine. The friction gear or drum 1) is preferably normally maintained out of contact with the drum 0, that end of the shaft B to which said drum 1) is keyed or secured being mounted in a movable journal-box e, pivoted, as at c, to a member of the supporting-frame and adapted to be rocked to bring said friction-gears into contact to apply the power. The journal-box e (see Figs. 2 and 3) may be provided with a depending lug e abutting a member of the machine-frame and serving to properly limit movement of the power-shaft away from the idle shaft when the power is released and also provided with an upstanding arm or projection 2 connected by a link e to preferably the shorter member of a bell-crank lover a, which is normally held in position to maintain the drum I) out of contact with the drum 0 by a retractile spring 6 or other suitable means. The longer member of said bell-crank lever may be connected by a link e to a lever 8 fulcrumed to the framework of the machine and having its free end under control of the operator by a treadle or foot-lever E, which may be fulcrumed to any suitable support, being herein represented as loosely mounted on the end of a rock-shaft extending transversely through the lower front portion of the machine and connected to the wire-clutch and'crimp-forming mechanism. On depressing the treadle E the power-shaft is moved, through the medium of levers and links 6 to e inclusive, to throw the drum Z) into frictional engagement with the drum 0, the combined leverage of the treadle E and the levers c c and 6 serving to transmit a powerful pressure between the two friction-gears, While on releasing the treadle the levers are instantly retracted to release the said drum b from such contact. Power may thus be applied and retracted at will, and the machine may be instantly started or brought to a full stop at any stage of its operation for adjustment, withdrawal of an imperfect or an improperlydelivcred stay, or for other purposes. It will be understood that while the interposed idle shaft 0 and gearing cl are preferably employed for the purposes of properly reducing the speed of the main shaft and taking the initial strain when power is applied the main shaft might, if desired, be driven directly from the power-shaft.

The longitudinal or strand wires, which may be of any desired number and gage or spacing, are threaded through the machine and may be delivered thereto from a series of horizontally-disposed spools, mounted for economy of space in a vertical stand or rack F at the front end of the machine, (see Figs. 5 and 23 to 25, inclusive,) and said spools, one of which is provided for each wire, preferably consist each of a hub or central portion f, having a depending spindle f, rotatable in a suitable bearing therefor, as f and having a number of radial sockets f in which are fitted and secured the inner ends of radial arms f, provided with upstanding brackets or angle-irons f adjustably or slidably mounted on said arms and secured in place by set-screws or other suitable means, the upper outwardly-projecting members of said brackets and the said radial arms thus constituting extensible forks or bifurcations to receive and hold the coil or bundle of wire, which can be conveniently applied to the spool by loosening and moving inwardly the said brackets to clear the coil. The said radial arms are preferably of square or polygonal cross-section to prevent turning within their sockets or turning of the brackets f thereon.

On leaving the spools the wires may pass over a guide-roller or a series of guide-rollers G, which constitute members of the tensioning devices, and under tension-rollers H, which latter hear them down against said guide-rollers, the wires first entering the machine through eyes or guides g,whicl1 serve to direct them and also to prevent upward pressure of said wires against the tension-, The 'guide-rollersG, one of which is provided for each wire, are keyed or other-, wise securedto a central shaft g, journaled rollers.

in suitable bearings at the .sides of the machine, being thus all rotatable in unison, and to assure uniform advance of every wire, which has heretofore been attended with difficulty in cases where wires of difierent sizes-such as the top, bottom, and intermediate wires of a fence-are employed in the same fabric,- said guide-rollers may each be provided with a number of circumferential grooves 9 Fig. 9, of preferably substantially semicircular cross-section and of several sizes conforming to the' diameters of different-sized wires. The several strand-wires being fitted in the proper grooves of their respective guiderollers, so as to make the distances from the center of the shaft g to the middle of each wire substantially equal, and said wires being closely confined in said grooves and against the guide-rollers by the tension, it follows that every wire will be advanced a uniform distance during any degree of rotation of the guide-rollers, thus rendering all the wires equallytautinthefinishedfabric. In placeof theseveralguide-rollersasingle roller or drum having suitable grooves at proper intervals to receive the different wires might be employed, though the construction-shown is preferred, since it permits utilization of the portions of the shaft g intermediate the said wheels as bearings for the angle-like frames or braces h, which receive the strain from manipulative levers for throwing down the tension-rollers against the guide-rollers, said frames 72 each comprising, preferably, a pair of angle-shaped irons or brackets, enlarged.

and bored at their vertices and loosely-mounted on the shaft 9 at the opposite sides of a guide-wheel and having their upright mem-v bers suitably joined, as by an interposed connecting-iron h, and their other members extendingforwardly and ,bolted or otherwise secured to a beam or support, as W, extending transversely across the machine. The tension-rollers H may be mounted in rocking frames or supports 7L fulcrumed in front of the guide-rollers and preferably between thev forwardly-extendingmembers of. the angleshaped frames or braces h, as shown at W,

said frames 72 being preferably of such formation as to permit adjustment therein of the tension-wheels to cover any one of the grooves in the corresponding guide-rollers, which adjustment may be easily effected by means of washers W. "The free ends of the frames k which for the purpose of leverage are preferably removed a considerable distance from as U 1 the pivots or axes of the tension-wheels, are

pivotally connected, as at If, to manipulative levers M, which levers are also eccentrically pivotally connected, as at k to yokes or pullpieces it, having connection slightly yieldmembers of the angle-shaped frames or braces h, in the construction shown the said yokes h? being loosely connected or swiveled to bolts passingthrough and secured behind the connecting-irons h at the tops ofsaid braces and stout hard-rubber buffers or com pressionsprings it being interposed between said able under tensile strain with the upright irons'and the fastening-nuts; When a tension-rolleris raisedfrom contact with the corresponding guide-roller, the several parts assu me the relative "positions indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 8, the manipulative lever h being raised and thrown rearward, with the pivot h standing behindthe pivot h". To apply the tension, the manipulative lever is carried forwardly, moving the frame It to bring the tension-roller against the guideroller or the wire thereon, and after such contact by applying sufficient pressure to the lever to compress the spring or buffer h (which is designed to be compressible only under great force,) soas topermit the pivot h to pass a point forward the pivot h, said lever is forced down to the position shown in full lines, the pressure against the guide-rollagainst the guide-roller at a point somewhat removed from the upper surface of the latter, so that the wire may be confined in its appropriate groove a considerable distance, thus insuring its proper advance. I

The stays or crosswires, which are formed by means independent of the machine embodying the present invention,consist of wires 2, having loops or looped portions 3 formed therein at intervals corresponding in number and spacing to the strand-wires, the said loops being preferably formed in alinement and at right angles to the body of the wire, wit'n the two members of each lyingin substantially the same plane and the intermediate portions of the wire extending or deflectingf-rom and to corresponding members of adjacent loopsthat is, from right to left, or vice versathroughout for the purpose of securing gen- .eral straightness of the stay, uniform action ers or coilers for wrapping the extremities and intermediate loops ofthe stays about the strand-wires, a series of which twisters corresponding in number and spacing to the strand-wires are arranged transversely the machine behind the guide-wheels, preferably in substantial alinement with the upper surfaces thereof, the same being rotatably mounted in bearings or journals 11 and provided with gear teeth or pinions 2", adapted to be engaged by a transversely-reciprocatory rack J. Said twisters may consist of spindles journaled in the bearings 2', longitudinally bored to receive the strand-wires and having twister-heads i fitting over and rigidly secured to preferably the rear ends thereof, Figs. 12, 13, and 14, said twister-heads being similarly bored concentrically with the spindles, as at 1' and each head being provided at its face end with a twisting-roller or device, preferably a pair of such rollers, as t which may be journaled at opposite sides of the central bore 1' on spindles secured between the twister-head and a rear face-plate 11 the said spindles or roller-axes being at such distances from the center of the twister as to leave only about the space of the thickness of a staywire between the central bore thereof and the periphery of each roller. Each face-plate '11 which is of course rotatable with its twisterhead, is preferably cut away or slotted from the periphery to the center and also a consider able amount about the center, as shown att'flto permit the loop or extremity, as the case may be, of the stay, which in operation is held against the face-plates, to be pushed forward through the slot between the plate and the twister-head for proper engagement by the twisting-rollers and to permit withdrawal therefrom of the knot or connection after its formation, one horn of the face-plate being also preferably extended or int-urned at the mouth of said cut-away portion, as at t", to engage and confine the loops or extremities between the rollers in operation, said horn or prong being also suitably beveled or reduced at the extremity to prevent engagement or catching thereof in the body of the stay as the twister rotates. In operation, the strand-wires being threaded through the twisters, which prior to rotation maintain substantially the position shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the stay is laid upon the strand-wires flush against the twister faces or face-plates, the loops thereof preferably depending beside the respective strand-wires at the same sides thereof as the horns or prongs 11 and by means hereinafter explained said loops are moved forward through the cut-away portions 1', as illustrated in said Figs. 13 and 14, while the extremities of the stay, which project a suitable distance beyond the two outermost strand-wires of the fabric, are simultaneously bent down and snapped into the slots '5 of the faces of the corresponding outermost twisters. On rotation of the twisters the horns or extensions 11 of the face-plates immediately move past said loops and the extremities of the stay, confining them between the face-plates and the twister-heads, and the adjacent approaching twister-rollers engage said loops or extremities immediately behind the strand-wires or at the body of the stay and wrap them closely about the strand-wires, the other rollers following and securing or pressing the coils against said wires and also opposing the strain of the first-mentioned set of rollers, while after completion of the knots or connections the rollers of both sets continue to revolve, compressing the coils and overcoming all tendency thereof to unwind or relax. By reason of the slight amount of space left between the strand-wires and the peripheries of the revolving rollers the portions of the stays which are being wrapped are held tightly against the strand-wires, the coils prevented from overlapping and rolled compactly, thus insuring rigid and durable connections, and, furthermore, the said revolving rollers, being disposed at opposite sides of the strand-wires, prevent undue strain upon or stretching of the latter and consequent wear of the central bores of the twisters. To further insure against wear by the strand-wires during the above-described operation, the twister-heads are preferably recessed at the rear ends of the bores 11 and provided with apertured plugs or rings i of hard metal or other suitable material, whichtake the wear and which may be renewed and replaced when necessary. When the twisting operation is completed, the entire fabric or fencing is drawn rearwardly or toward the reel, the knots or connections passing out through the slots i of the twister face-plates, and the twisters are then reversed by the rack, coming again to their initial position preparatory to attaching the succeeding stay. The two extremities of the stay are preferably twisted in opposite directions, being of course oppositely bent down over the two outermost strand-wires, (thus also tensioning the stay,) and for this purpose the proper one of the said outermost twisters (see Fig. 1) is made rotatable in an opposite direction to the remainder of the series, as by independently gearing the same with the adjacent twister or, if wanting proper proximity thereto, with an interposed idler t It will be understood that the twisters and the corresponding guide-wheels and tension devices maybe of any desired number and arrangement, according to the size and style or the fencing or fabric. For the purpose of clearness and simplicity there is represented in Fig. 1 amachine designed for the production of a single line of fencing and having therefor a single series of twisters arranged at intervals corresponding to the varying distances between the strand-wires of the fence; but in practice the machines are preferably constructed for the production simultaneously of two or more lines of fencing, being therefore accordingly provided with two or more series of twisters and corresponding guide-wheels and tension devices. The crosswires for the several series are preferably formed integrally and are introduced in the usual manner to the twisters, a suitable cuttingdevice being provided between the adjacent twisters of each series to sever the crosswire prior to the twisting operation, so as to permit the severed ends to be secured to the outer wires of the two fabrics to be formed in the usual manner. Such a construction is illustrated in enlarged detail in Figs. and 16, wherein are represented ad jacent' twisters of two series and an interposed cutting device, the latter consisting of a blade or shearingkuife K, secured to a rock-shaft L, the movements of which rock-shaft are automatically controlled by mechanism hereinafter described, and a standard or holder 10, having a mouth or notched portion, as k,-against which the stay is lodged when forced against the twister-faces and past which the knife moves when the shaft isrocked, thus severing the cross-wire into stays for-the two series. The rock-shaftL carries also a series of beaters M or devices for properly advancing and forcing the stays against the twister-faces,'said devices (shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 11) being arranged preferably one behind each twister and consisting of arms or members rigidly secured to the rock-shaft, which in rocking alternately elevates and lowers the beaters to throw the flat faces m'thereof against and away from the rear face-plates t of the twisters, the face ends of the beaters being slotted or bifurcated, as at m, to clear the strand-wires, The beaters are provided with transverse projections m which when the faces an confront the face-plate 2' stand preferably immediately beneath the strand-wires, and are further provided with forwardly-curved fingers or projections m upstanding at the sides, so as to clear said face-plates i Preliminarily to each twisting operation, the stay being delivered in proper position upon the strand-wires, the rock-shaft is rocked to raiseor advance the beaters, which strike and push the stay against the, face-plates i of the twisters, the curved fingers m moving over and holding the stay firmly'down on the strand-wires, and the projections m engaging and forcing the loops of the stay well through the slots '6 in said face plates forengagement by the twisting-rollers. On completion of the twisting operation the rock-shaft is oppositely rocked to depress or withdraw the beaters, thus permitting the connections of the fabric to be withdrawn from the twisters. The two outermost beaters are provided with fingers m, Fig. 3, upstanding at the outer sides of each and similar to the fingers m of the intermediate beaters, but

considerably larger, being adapted on rocking of the shaft L to bend down the extremities of the stay which project beyond the two outer strand-wires and snap the same into the slots 2' of the face-plates of thetwo outermost twisters.

The stays may be delivered to the strandwires from inclined guides or pointing-fingers N, upon which they are'laid one at a time during each successive operation of the machine, and the time of delivery may be controlled by fingers n, held normally closed against the delivery ends of the guide-fingers N and intermittently opened to drop the stay just prior to the twisting operation,'the proper delivery of the stays immediately behind the twisters being insured by spring-pressed pins n, Fig. 4, or other suitable devices. The said fingers n may be secured to. a rock-shaft n here shown supported in bearings secured to the upper member of a set of stationary wiregrippingjaws O,the rock-shaft being provided with an arm n held to maintain the fingers closed by a retractile spring 11 To intermittently open the fingers, the arm a may be connected by a link n to one end of a lever n, the other end of said lever being yieldably connected, as by a retractile spring 077, to the upper member of a similar set of longitudinally-reciprocatory traveling wire gripping, and drawing jaws P, so that therock-shaft is turned to open the fingers when the jaws travel rearward, Figs. 2 and 4, and oppositely rocked to close the fingers when the jaws travel forward, Fig. 3. Movement of the rockshaft under rearward pull of the jaws P may be limited by a stop u projecting in the way of the arm n from a suitable arm orsupport,

as a", which'may be secured to the said upper member of the stationary jaws.

The strand-wires are passed between the transverse stationary jaws or grippers O, thence between .the reciprocatory traveling wire gripping and drawingjaws P, and finally over a suitable guide-roller to the reel ,2, which automatically winds the finished fabric. The stationary jaws may consist of transverse beams or members mounted one above the other in fixed frames 0 at the sides of the machine, one member, preferably the upper one, being rigidly secured to said frames with its lower sidein substantial alinement with the twisters and the other memberbeingarranged to reciprocate vertically therein to intermittently grip and release the strand-wires, and preferably the adjacent or gripping sides or flanges of said jaws are provided with intereugaging longitudinal strips or projections 0', as shown in cross-section in Fig. 4, which clutch the wires more securely and produce short offsets or angular crimps therein in an obvious manner. The crimps or ofisets thus produced render the fabric elastic, and, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, they provide snug seats for the coils of the stays, preventing lateral displacement of the latter along the strand-wires. The traveling grip and drag jaws may be similarly constructed and arranged and similarly provided with crimpforming devices,as atp, said members being, however, mounted in longitudinally-reciprocatory carriage-frames p, which forthe purpose of stability are preferably mounted on slides or bars p (seen more clearly in Fig. 1,) slidable in bearings, as 13 at the sides of the machine, preferably on rollers within said bearings. The said traveling jaws are arranged to reciprocate intermittently to grip the fabric when at'the limit of their forward movement and on backward motion to draw the fabric rearwardly, the stationaryjaws remaining separated during such backward travel. Then at the limit of their backward movement, the traveling jaws release and simultaneously or an instant previously the stationary jaws grip the wires, which are thus held perfectly taut between said stationary jaws and the tension devices. During advance of the traveling grip and draw jaws while the stationary jaws remain closed to hold the strand-wires taut the twisters are operated to secure the stay to said wires, and at completion of this operation the traveling jaws again grip the wires, and the stationary jaws instantly release, whereupon the fabric is carried rearwardly by said traveling jaws, withdrawing the knots or connections thereof from the twisters.

It will be observed that the strand-wires are always gripped and held taut either by the stationary or traveling jaws, one set of said jaws always clutching substantially simultaneously or an instant before the other releases, so as to stretch the fence or fabric at all times independently of the action of the reel, and thereby to stretch every strand of the series with equal tension.

The longitudinal travel of the jaws P, which determines the intervals between the stays, may be made variable and is preferably fixed so as to bring at each'rearward reciprocation of said jaws a previously-attached stay either directly between the stationary jaws or to an equal distance from before to beyond the same, so that said stationary jaws crimp the strand wires accordingly, either at the stay or midway adjacent stays, while the reciprocatory jaws are arranged to always clutch and crimp said strand-wires at the stays, the forward travel thereof always terminating at the same point or limit, which may be fixed by stops Q, standing in the path of the carriages p and preferably adjustable, as by slot-and-bolt fastenings or other suitable means. Thus in both cases crimps are produced directly at the knots or connections of the fabric, thereby preventing longitudinal movement or slipping of the stay on the strand-wires, though in the latter instance the stays are arranged at greater intervals and at alternate crimps. During the clutch by either of the jaws O or P the stay is of course projected by the tongue member of the crimping devices 0 or 19 between the groove members, thus preventing mutilation of the coils. In the present construction means are provided for regulating the length of travel of the jaws P to equal either the distance from the twisting devices to midway the jaws O or twice such distance, as desired,

so that in the first case said reciprocatory jaws on each rearward movement draw back the fabric till the stay just previously attached to the strand-wires is brought between thestationary jaws which on closing thus crimp at the connections, the crimps formed by the preceding operation being of course drawn the same distance rearward, where on a return or later movement of the reciprocatory jaws they are again clutched by the latter to draw back the fabric, while in the second case the fabric is drawn back twice as far, carrying the said stay from the twisters to an equal distance beyond or behind the stationary jaws, which latter on closing thus crimp midway the stay and the twisters, the crimps at the connections being produced by the reciprocatory jaws on a later movement. If desired, the length of travel of the reciprocatory jaws might be made adiiferent multiple than one or two of the distance specified and provision made forcrimping the wire at other points, so as to produce other fabrics of varying design.

In their longitudinal reciprocatory travel the grip and draw jaws I are actuated from the main shaft B through the medium of preferably a pair of rocking actuating members or rocker-cams, as R R or S S, pivotally mounted in the machine-frame, as at r or s, and of internalcharacter or formation, being operated by inner traveling contact-rollers r and 5, carried by cranks r and s on the main shaft. As herein shown, the jaws are connected by rods T to the swinging arms or ends of the rocker-cams R, which are designed to reciprocate said jaws through their lesser travel. The connection may, however, be changed when desired to the rockercams S, which are designed to double the travel of the jaws,said rocker-cams having twice the throw of the first-mentioned rockercams. Each rocker-cam R (shown in detail in Figs. 17 and 18) is constructed with confronting arc-shaped surfaces 1 each of which is in turn traversed by the roller r to maintain the rocker-cam stationary at one or the other of its opposite extreme inclined po sitions, (being accordingly drawn with the radius of the circle described by the outer periphery of said roller and oppositely positioned to lie, respectively, in the path thereof during said respective opposite stationary positions,) and said confronting surfaces terminate at both ends in recesses or cut-away portions 1", into the approaching one of which the roller passes as it leaves each arc-shaped surface r striking and bearing against the opposing wall 0' or r of the recess, and thereby throwing the rocker-cam from one extreme position to the other and at completion of the throw traversing the opposite arc-shaped surface 7' and thereby holding the rocker-cam stationary in its later extreme position. In either extreme position the rocker-cam may be supported against action of the roller by the main shaft, which passes therethrough,

though it is obvious that in some constructions said shaft might terminate at the side wires and the stationary jaws O to grip the same. On leaving said surface the roller strikes and bears against the contact-surface of the lower recess 7, thus throwing the rocker-cam to its opposite extreme position, (indicated by dotted lines.) and thereby moving the now open jaws P forwardly, and said roller then passes up the opposite arc-shaped surface, maintaining the jaws in their foremost position, during which time said jaws are operated to grip the strand-wires and the stationary jaws are simultaneously operated to release the same. \Vhen the roller strikes the contact-s1; rface r of the upper recess, the rocker-cam is again thrown rearward, drawing rearwardly the now closed jaws P with the wires tightly gripped between the same. It will be observed that by reason of contactof the roller at the surfaces r and 0", which are respectively nearer and more remote from the fulcrum r, the jaws P are moved more swiftly in their forward or reverse direction and with greater power in their rearward direction when drawing the wires through the machine, which is obviously very advantageous. Each of the rocker-cams S (shown in detailin Figs. 19 and 20) is similarly constructed, having confronting arc-shaped surfaces 8 similarly terminatingin recesses or cut-away portions 3 engaged by the roller at the respective contact-surfaces s and s to throw the member; but for the purpose of securing a greater throw without unnecessarily lengthening the roller-crank the saidconfronting surfaces are arranged in closer proximity, and to prevent interference by the shaft B said surfaces are intermediately intercepted by internal cutaway portions of the member or areshaped slots 8 described from the fulcrum s, and which move over and inclose the shaft as the rocker-cam reciprocates. To prevent improper rocking movement of the member as the roller passes either of the slots 5 said rocker-cam may be provided on the crank side thereof with curved projections or ledges 8 preferably described concentricallywith the surfacess which ledges are traversed by an auxiliary roller 3 carried by an extension of the crank-arm. (Shown more clearly in Fig. 21.) The traveling jaws P are preferably arranged to move forwardly to the stops Q in both their lesser and greater reciprocations, the difference in travel being therefore gained onlyin a rearward direction, which is effected by properly rearwardly inclining the upper swinging arms or ends ofthe rockercams'S of greater throw. The connectingrods T (shown in detail in-Fig. 22) are preferably adjustably orextensibly connected to l the jaws P, as by means of fastening screwbolts *6, (see Fig. 4,) and also preferably secured to the arms or swinging ends of the rocker-cams R or S, as the case may be, by pin-and-slot connections or in such other; suitable manner as to permit play, so as to prevent jamming when the carriages 19 abut the stops Q.

In the present construc-' tion the ends of the connecting-rods are slot- 1 ted and slidably secured, as by bolts 15', be-

tween the upper bifurcated ends of the rockercams, the extent of play being regulated by means of slides 15 located in the slots behind the bolts and swiveled to screws 25, entered through the connecting-rods and secured at any adjustment by fastening-nuts or other 7 suitable means.

'lhetravelinggrip and drawjawsPare operated to grip and release the wires,preferably through the medium of cranks U and links U con nected as shown, thecranks, which are pivotally secured to thelower or vertically-movable jaw, being pivotally supported by the links, which are pivotally secured to orsuspended from the upper or fixed jaws in such manner that when the links stand vertical the cranks hold the jaws closed, movement thereof to separate the jaws being permitted only when the links are thrown to an inclined position. The statio'naryjaws O are similarly operated by cranks V and links V", similarly arranged. Both the cranks U and V are preferably provided with lever arms or extensions, as u and 1), respectively, which depend between intermittently longitudinally reciprocatory frames or slides W, slidable in suitable bearings at the sides of the machine and having transverse pins or other devices, preferably rollers, as 'w 20 and w 112 respectively j adapted to engage at proper periods the said lever arms or extensions u and t to operate the cranks to open and close the jaws, the arrangement being such that when the stationary jaws O are operated to close the traveling jaws P are operated to release, and vice versa. Thus in Figs. 2 and4 the traveling jaws are shown at the limit of their rearward movement and closed, the stationary jaws being separated. On forward movement of theslides or frames W, which is the first motionloccurring from such position, the rollers to engage the lever-arms u, thereby swinging the cranks U and links U to positively separate the jaws, (though in the present arrangement the lower jaw falls by gravity'the instant the pivotal connections of the cranks and links move from vertically beneath the pivots of said crank and said lower jaw,) and simultaneously, or an instant previously, the

rollers w, by engagement against the leverarms 1), swing the cranks V and links V into 1 such position as to positively close the stationaryjaws O. The traveling jaws are now moved by the cams R or the cams S,whichever one they may be connected to at the time, to their extreme forward position, as shown in Fig. 3, said jaws remaining separated during such forward travel and the links and cranks maintaining the same relation, and when at rest in such position the frames W move rearwardly, the rollers 10 by contact against the "lever-arms u closing the jaws P, and the rollers w by contact against the lever-arms 0 closing the jaws O, whereupon the jaws P move rearwardly, drawing out the fabric. On account of the differencein travel of the jaws P when actuated by the cams R and the cams S, other rollers 'w are pro-' vided behind the rollers w for contact with the lever-arms u in place of said first-mentioned rollers when the jaws are actuated from the cams of greater throw, the said rollers to being at such times removed. The lever-arms u may also be properly limited in their movements by pins or stops, as to, projecting from the sides of the carriage p, or by other suitable means.

, The slides or frames W, or one thereof, may also actuate the beater rock-shaft L, before mentioned, said rock-shaft, as shown in Fig. 5, having an arm Z- connected, as by means of the rod Z, to one of the said slides, and it will be seen that the shaft L is rocked to elevate and depress the boaters during forward and rearward movements, respectively, of the slides.

The sliding frames W are actuated to reciprocate intermittently by a rocker-cam X, (shown more clearly in Fig. 4,) of construction similar to the cams R and S, already described, and operated by a roller 09, carried by a crank 00 on the main shaft, said crank being. set at such position relative to the cranks r and s as to throw the rocker-cam X to either direction immediately after full throw of the rocker-cams R and S, so that the frames or members W are reciprocated to operate the stationary and traveling jaws the instant the latter come to rest in either their foremost or rearmost position.

In the arrangement herein represented the rocker-cam X transmits its motion to the sliding frames \V through the medium of a rock-shaft x having a rocker-arm 50 connected to. the rocker-cam, and rocker-arms 03, Figs. 2 and 3, connected to said frames, as by the rods cs The twister-operating rack J is also actuated by a rocker-cam Y, of similar construction to those before described, the same being operated by a roller y, carried by a crank 7 on a counter-shaft 1 driven by the main shaft through the medium of bevel-gearing 1 the arrangement being such that the roller throws the rocker-cam in a direction (or toward the position shown in Fig. 7) to move the rack to operatively rotate the twisters while the stationary jaws O are gripping the wires and the traveling jaws P are traveling forwardly and in a direction (or toward the position shown in Fig. 6) to reverse the rack while the fabric is being drawn rearwardly by said traveling jaws, the roller traversing in turn the opposite arc-shaped surfaces of the rocker-cam to maintain the same stationaryin its successive extreme positions during the intervals when the traveling jaws P stand at their respective foremost or rearmost positions pending release orgripping of the jaws.

The reel Z is driven to automatically wind the fabric as the same is intermittently drawn out by the traveling jaws P, preferably by means of a slack belt passing around friction-pulleys Z and Z keyed or otherwise secured, respectively, to the main shaft and the reel-shaft, suitable tension being imparted to the belt by a weighted roller Z or other means, so that when the reel, having taken up the slack of the fabric, is thereby held against further winding rotation the belt slips on the momentarily-idle reel-pulley Z unwinding of the reel being at all times prevented by means of a pawl-engaged ratchet- Wheel Z Thus the fabric is tightly wound as rapidlytas it is drawn out by the traveling jaws without employment of expensive mechanism for automatically timing the 'reel to compensate for the varying increase in size of the roll being wound thereon.

To facilitate removal of the roll or bale from the reel, which is generally attended with difficulty by reason of the tension with which the fabric is wound thereon, the reel (shown in detail in Figs. 26 to 29, inclusive) is preferably of collapsible construction, and may consist of a number of annularly-arranged bars removably supported endwise between heads or frames 2, having radially-disposed sockets, as z, to receive the ends of said bars, which latter may be secured in place therein by temporary wings or binding-Wires,as shown in Figs. 1 and 4:, the said heads being preferably detachably though rigidly secured at opposite ends of a central shaft, here shown of polygonal coniiuration to fit correspondinglyshaped sockets, as 2 in the heads. One end of the said shaft, formed into a rounded spindle, as .23, which projects through one of the heads and when the reel is in place, is removably journaled to the machineframe, preferably on a flat bearing having an overhanging projection, as .2 under which the spindle may be properly retained by a removable pin 2 The opposite head is detachably secured to the same shaft which carries the ratchet Z and reel-pulley Z as by means of an integral wedge-block ,2 on said shaft fitting a correspondingly-shaped. slot .2 in the outer face of the head and secured therein by a set-screw or otherwise. Undue cross strain upon this short shaft under pull of the reeldriving belt may be obviated by bracing with a strut or beam Z loosely mounted upon the outer ends of said shaft and the main shaft. The reel may obviously be detached from the machine and the heads separated from their connecting-shaft, whereupon the bars will collapse to permit withdrawal of the coil of wire.

The operation of the machine will be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. Tointroduce the strand-wires, the

machine may be brought to the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4, it being remembered that the machine may be instantly started or brought to a full stop at any stage of its movement by manipulation of the treadle or foot lever E to throw the friction-gear b into or out of engagement with friction-gear c. The tension-rollers H being now raised,the strandwires are passed over the guide-rollers G in their respective appropriate feedgrooves, are threaded through the twisters I, and inserted between the open stationary gripping-jaws O. The machine may now be further operated to move the reciprocatory grip and draw or traveling jaws P to their forward open position, Fig. 3, where the wires are inserted between them. The tension-rollers being now forced down upon the wires on the guide-rollers, the movement is continued, whereupon said jaws P close and grip the wires and travel rearward, drawing them perfectly taut, and as the traveling jaws release the stationary jaws close and grip the wires and hold them perfectly taut during the succeeding forward travel of said traveling jaws. The operation of securing the stays to the strand-wires may be begun as soon as the strand-wires have once been clutched and carried rearward under tension by the traveling jaws P, a stay being placed upon the delivery or guide fingers N during each successive action of the machine. As the jaws P approach the limit of their rearward movement the rockshaft n is rocked by reason of pull on the spring connection n to open the fingers n, thus dropping the stay upon the strand-wires behind the twisters, said stay being preferably held at one end by the operator, who stands at the side of the machine to control the treadle E and who maintains the stay with its intermediate loops bearing against the proper sides of the respective strand-wires. Thejaws P, having now reached the limit of their rearward travel, (during which rearward travel the twister-operating rack J has been moved by its actuating rocker-cam Y to the position shown in Fig. 6, while the rocker-cam X, which actuates the reciprocatory slides or frames W, has been maintained by its operative roller stationary in its rearwardly-inclined position, as shown in Fig. 4,) the roller :1: now throws the rocker-cam X to its opposite position,thus moving forwardly the slides or frames 7, and thereby causing the stationary jaws O to grip the wires and the traveling jaws P to release, while at the same time the rock-shaft L is rocked to advance the heaters M, which in the manner hereinbefore described force and hold the stay against the twister face-plates with the extremities and intermediate loops thereof extending through the slots i of said face-plates for proper engagement-by the twisting-rollers. During the lastmentioned movement the twister-rack-actuatin g rocker-cam Y remains stationary in its extreme position, (shown in Fig. 6,) its operating-roller y passing up one of {its confronting arc-shaped surfaces to the point indicated by dotted lines ready to throw said rocker-cam to move the rack in a direction to effect the twist, and the rockercams R or S, as the case may be, likewise remain stationary, their'operating-rollers similarly traveling to positions ready to throw said members in a direction to move the jaws P forwardly. The strand-wires being now held taut between the tension devices and the stationaryjaws O, as by Vises, the rockercam Y is thrown by its operating-roller to the position represented in Fig. 7, thus moving the rack J to operatively rotate the twisters, and during the twisting operation, hereinbefore fully described, the traveling grip and draw jaws P are returned by their actuating rockercams R or S, as the case may be, to their foremost position, ready to again grip and carry rearwardly the fabric. On completion of the twist,saidtravelingjaws beingnowatthe limit of forward travel, the slides W instantly move .rearwardly by rearward throw of the rockercam X, 'thus lowering or withdrawing the heaters, causing the reciprocatory jaws P to close and grip the wires and releasing the stationary jaws P, the rocker-cams R and S and also the rocker-cam Y being meanwhile maintained stationary. The jaws P then travel rearwardly again, drawing out the fabric under tension, during which travel the rocker-cam Y isthrown byits operating-roller toward the position shown in Fig. 6, returning the rack, which completes the cycle of operations, the succeeding stay being now dropped into place by opening of the fingers n as the jaws P approach again the limit of their rearward movement. As before stated, when the traveling jaws P are. connected to the rocker-cams R the fabric is at each reciprocation of said jaws drawn rearward a distance equal to the distance from the twisters to the crimping devices of the stationary jaws O, which on closing thus crimp the strand-wires directly at the knots or connections of the previously-attached stay, the traveling jaws also gripping the wires at the same points on a later movement, while when said jaws P are connected to the rocker-cams S of greater throw the fabric is drawn rearwardly double such distance, the wires being thus crimped at the connections of the stay by the jaws P and gripped and crimped by the jaws O at points midway such connections. When sufficient length of the fabric has been produced, the rearmost extremities of the strand-wires may be secured in any suitable manner to the reel, which will then automatically wind the fabric into rolls or bales, as previously explained.

It will be understood that the invention is susceptible of various modifications in details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope thereof.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a Wire-fabric-making machine, the combination with means for intermittently feedingaseries of strand-wires, of mechanism for Wrapping about said strand-wires, during their intermittent periods of rest, the extremities and intermediate loops formed in stays or cross-Wires laid upon said strand-wires; substantially as described.

2. In a wire-fabric-making machine, the combination with means for intermittently feeding a series of strand-wires, of mechanism for simultaneously wrapping about said strand-wires, during their intermittent periods of rest, the extremities and intermediate loops formed in stays or cross-wires laid upon said strand-wires; substantially as described. 3. In a Wire-fabric-making machine, the combination with means for feeding a series of strand-wires, of mechanism for wrapping about said wires portions of stays laid thereupon, and means for producing short crimps or bends in the strand-wires at intervals coincident With the connections of the stays to prevent movement of the latter along the strands; substantially as described.

4:. In a wire-fabric1naking machine, the combination with means for feeding a series of strand-wires, of mechanism for wrapping about said Wires the extremities and intermediate loops of stays laid thereupon, and means for producing short crimps or bends in the strand-wires at intervals coincident with the connections of the stays to prevent movement of the latter along the strands; substantially as described.

5. In a Wire-fabric-making machine, the combination, with means for feeding a series of strand-wires, of mechanism for securing stays or cross-wires at intervals thereto, and means for producing short angular bends or offsets in the strand-wires at the connections of the stays to prevent lateral movement of the latter along the strands; substantially as described.

6. In a wire-fabric-making machine, the combination, with means for feeding a series of strand-wires, of mechanism for securing stays at intervals thereto, and means for forming short angularcrimps or bends in the strand-wires at the connections of the stays, and similar crimps at intermediate points; substantially as described. I

7. In a wire-fabric-making machine, the combination, with means for feeding a series of strand-wires, of mechanism for securing stays at intervals thereto, and means for varying the distance between the points of attachment of adjacent stays; substantially as described.

8. In a wire-fabric-making machine, the combination With means for intermittently feeding a series of strand-Wires,of mechanism for attaching stays at regular intervals thereto, and means for changing the feed independently of the remaining operative mechanism, whereby said stays may be attached at different intervals; substantially as described.

9. In a wire-fabric-making machine, the combination, with means for feeding a series of strand-wires, of mechanism for producing short crimps or bends atintervals therein, means for attaching stays to the strand-wires at intervals, and interchangeable feed-operating devices whereby the stays may be attached so as to leave crimps between adjacent stays; substantially as described.

10. In a wire-fabric-making machine, the combination, with means for feeding a series of strand-wires, of mechanism for producing short crimps or bends at intervals therein, means for attaching stays to said strand- Wires at intervals, and interchangeable feedoperating devices whereby the stays may be secured to the crimps of each series or of alternate series, as desired; substantially as described.

11. In a Wire-fabric-making machine, the combination, with means for intermittently feeding a series of strand-wires, of mechanism for producing at intervals therein short angular crimps offset from intermediate straight portions, substantially as and for the purposes described.

12. In a wire-fabric-making machine, the combination, with means for intermittently feeding a series of strand-wires, of mechanism for producing at intervals therein short angular crimps offset from intermediate straight portions, and means for attaching stays in the seats formed between the ends of said crimps, substantially as described.

13. In a wire-fabric-making machine, the combination, with means for intermittently feeding or drawing the strand-Wires under tension, of devices for independently maintaining said wires taut during the intermediate intervals between the periods of feeding, and mechanism for attaching stays to said taut strand-wires during said intermediate intervals; substantially as described.

14. In a wire-fabric-making machine, the combination, with means for intermittently feeding or drawing the strand-wires under tension, of means for independently holding said wires taut during the intermittent nonfeeding periods, means for simultaneously producing crimps or bends in said strandwires, and mechanism for attaching stays to said wires while at rest; substantially as described.

15. In a wire-fabric-making machine, the combination, with means for alining and tensioning the strand-wires, of traveling devices arranged to intermittently grip and draw said strand-wires a distance against the tension,

and intermediately-disposed devices arranged to grip and hold said wires taut when released by the traveling devices and during return movement of the latter; substantially as described.

16. In a wire-fabric-making machine, the combination, with the wire-tensioning devices, of the reciprocatory jaws arranged to intermittently grip and draw the wires a distance out from the tensioning devices, and the stationary'jaws arranged to grip and hold taut said wires when released by the reciprocatory jaws; substantially as described.

17. In a wire-fabric-making machine, the combination, of the intermittently-reciprocatory grip and draw devices, and the statiolr, ary wire gripping and holding devices, with means whereby said stationary devices are; operated to respectively grip and release the wires substantially simultaneously with release and gripping thereof by the reciprocawhereby said stationary devices are operated to clutch the wires and the traveling devices to release them when the carriage stands at the limit of its forward travel and vice versa when at the limit of its backward travel, and means for operating the twisters while the carriage moves forward; substantially as described.

19. In a wire-fabric-making machine, a series of stay-twisters, an intermittently-reciprocatory carriage having clutch devices arranged to draw back the strand-wires on backward travel of the carriage, stationary clutch devices arranged to hold said wires taut during forward travel of said carriage,

means whereby said stationary'and traveling.

clutch devices are respectively operated to grip and release the wires and vice versa when the carriage stands respectively at the limits of its forward and backward travels, means for forcing the stays into engagement by the twisters when said stationary clutch devices grip the strand-wires, and means for operating the twisters while the carriage moves forward; substantially as described.

20. In a wire-fabric-making machine, a series of stay-twisters, an intermittently-reciprocatory carriage having clutch devices arranged to draw back the strand -wires on backward travel of the carriage, stationary clutch devices arranged to hold said wires taut during forward travel of said carriage, means whereby said stationary and traveling clutch devices are respectively operated to grip and release the wires and vice versa when the carriage stands respectively at the limits of its forward and backward travels, a series of beaters arranged to respectively advance the stay to the twisters and to withdraw therefrom simultaneously with the operations of said stationary devices to clutch or release, and means for operating the twisters while the carriage moves'forward; substantially as described. I

21. In a wire-fabric-making machine, a series of stay-twisters, a rock-shaft carrying a series of boaters, reciprocatory gripping-jaws arranged to intermittently draw the strandwires through the machine on travel in one direction, stationary gripping-jaws'arranged to hold said wires taut during the return travel, and a reciprocatory actuator arranged to simultaneously operate said jaws to grip or release and the rock-shaft to advance or withdraw the heaters from the twisters, substantially as described. 7

22. In a wire-fabric-ma'king machine, a series of stay-twisters, means for intermittently drawing or feeding the strand-wires through the machine, and for simultaneously delivering stays thereupon, means for clutching and holding taut said strand-wires immediately after each intermittent feed thereof and for simultaneously advancing the stay to the twisters, and means for operating the twisters prior to the succeeding feed; substantially as described.

23. In awire-fabric-making machine, a series of twisters for securing stays to the strand-wires, means for intermittently feeding the strand-wires, and a crimping device positioned to successively crimp said strandwires after each intermittent feed at the connections of previously-attached stays; substantially as described. I

24. In a wire-fabric-making machine, a series of devices for securing stays'to the strandwires and reciprocatory grip and crimp forming jaws arranged to intermittently draw the strand-wires through the machine, saidjaws being arranged to grip the wires at the connections of previously-attached stays; substantially as described.

25. In a wire-fabric-making machine, a series of stay-twisters, reciprocatory grip and crimping jaws arranged to draw the strandwires therefrom a distance after each twisting operation, said jaws being arranged to grip and thus crimp said wires at the connections of stays previously attached, and intermediate stationary grip and crimping jaws arranged to grip and crimp said strand-wires between said connections; substantially as de-. scribed.

26. In a wire-fabric-making machine, a series of twisting devices, means for periodically operating the same to secure stays to strand-wires, crimping-jaws arranged to grip and hold the strand-wires stationary during thetwisting operation, reciprocatory traveling jaws arranged to intermittently grip and draw said strand-wires through the machine, and means for varying-the travel of said 're- 

